Missouri School District Bans Middle School Bible Studies

CBN News reports that the Bible study was taking place at North Middle School in Joplin, Missouri.

When the American Humanist Association found out about the Bible study, they took issue with it, calling it unconstitutional and alleging that teachers from the school and clergy members from the community were participating in it. The group also claimed that doughnuts were being offered as an incentive to draw more students into the study.

"It is unconstitutional for public school teachers to pressure students into participating in prayer or other religious activities," David Niose, legal director of the American Humanist Association, said in a press release.

The school district responded by stating that the Bible study was student-led and no teachers or other adults were initiating it. However, they still canceled the Bible study after finding that student-initiated groups are not permitted till high school.

"Our staff was unaware of the policy update and its implication for this activity," the district said in a statement. "As a result, we have suspended the Bible study as it is currently organized."